The Best Smoothie Bowl Toppings
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Smoothie bowls are all the rage right now. They’re a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a quick breakfast or snack, and they’re perfect for on-the-go mornings. But what are the best toppings for smoothie bowls?
In this article we will take a look at our favorite toppings for smoothie bowls, from fruit to nuts, seeds, and more.
Smoothie Bowls vs. Smoothies
Before we dive into the best toppings for smoothie bowls, let’s first talk about what a smoothie bowl is. Smoothie bowls are very similar to regular smoothies, but there are a few key differences.
The biggest difference between smoothie bowls and regular smoothies is the consistency. Smoothie bowls are much thicker than regular smoothies, and they’re meant to be eaten with a spoon. This thicker consistency is achieved by using less liquid in the smoothie, and by adding ingredients like frozen fruit or yogurt.
Another difference between smoothie bowls and regular smoothies is that smoothie bowls are typically topped with additional ingredients, like fruit, nuts, or seeds. This makes them more filling and satisfying than regular smoothies, which are typically drunk with a straw.
Benefits of Smoothie Bowls
Smoothie bowls offer a few key benefits over regular smoothies.
First, because they’re thicker and more filling, smoothie bowls are a great option if you’re looking for a quick breakfast or snack that will keep you full until your next meal.
Second, smoothie bowls are a great way to get in a variety of nutrients. By adding different toppings, you can easily add more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your diet.
And lastly, smoothie bowls are just plain fun! They’re a great way to experiment with new flavor combinations and get creative in the kitchen.
What Toppings Go On a Smoothie Bowl?
A smoothie bowl is a thickened smoothie that is served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon. Smoothie bowls can be made with any type of fruit, vegetable, or protein powder, and they’re typically topped with healthy ingredients like nuts, seeds, granola, or fresh fruit.
The Best Toppings for Smoothie Bowls
There are endless possibilities when it comes to topping your smoothie bowl. Here are a few of our favorites:
Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is always a great option for topping off your smoothie bowl. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and it gives your bowl a sweetness that you won’t find with any other topping.
Sliced banana is a great choice because bananas are rich in potassium and fiber, and they add a creamy texture to your bowl. Other great options include berries, mango, pineapple, or papaya. Chopped apples are a great choice, too.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are a great way to add some extra protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins and minerals to your smoothie bowl. We love topping our bowls with almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds and more.
Nut Butters
Nut butters are another great way to add some protein and healthy fats to your bowl. We love using almond butter, peanut butter, and cashew butter.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a great way to add sweetness and flavor to your smoothie bowl. We love using dried cranberries, apricots, dates, and raisins, and sometimes even dried goji berries.
Coconut
Coconut is a great way to add some flavor and texture to your bowl. We love using shredded coconut, coconut flakes, and coconut chips.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a great way to add some sweetness and flavor to your bowl. We love using dark chocolate, cacao nibs, and chocolate chips. My boys particularly like the mini chocolate chips from Enjoy Life (they are allergen-free).
Superfoods
Superfoods are a great way to add some extra nutrition to your smoothie bowl. We love using spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and matcha powder.
Granola
Granola is a great way to add some crunch and flavor to your bowl. We love using our homemade granola, or any store-bought granola that is made with healthy ingredients.
Oats
Oats are a great way to add some fiber and nutrition to your smoothie bowl. We love using rolled oats, steel cut oats, or oat bran.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Smoothie Bowl
Now that you know what toppings to use, here are a few tips for creating the perfect smoothie bowl:
1. Use frozen fruit: Frozen fruit will make your smoothie bowl thick and creamy, and it will help keep your toppings from sinking to the bottom.
2. Load up on greens: Greens like spinach and kale are packed with nutrients, and they’ll make your smoothie bowl a beautiful green color.
3. Get creative: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavor combinations. You might be surprised at what you come up with!
4. Go heavy on the toppings: A little bit of this and a little bit of that can go a long way. Be generous with your toppings to really make your smoothie bowl pop.
5. Use a high-powered blender: A high-powered blender will make your smoothie nice and creamy. We love using our Vitamix blender.
Recipes for Healthy and Delicious Smoothie Bowls
Now that you know how to make the perfect smoothie bowl, here are a few of our favorite recipes for some smoothie bowl ideas.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Toppings:
Fresh strawberries
Banana slices
Shredded coconut
Directions:
1. Add the frozen strawberries, banana, almond milk, and protein powder to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a bowl and top with fresh strawberries, banana slices, shredded coconut, and chia seeds.
3. Enjoy!
Green Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
1 cup spinach
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup almond milk
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Toppings:
Slivered Almonds
Banana slices
Fresh berries
Chia seeds
Directions:
1. Add the spinach, banana, almond milk, and protein powder to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a bowl and top with slivered almonds, banana slices, fresh berries, and chia seeds.
3. Enjoy!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup almond milk
1 scoop chocolate protein powder
2 tablespoons peanut butter
Toppings:
Mini chocolate chips
Peanut butter
Banana slices
Chia seed
Directions:
1. Add the banana, almond milk, chocolate protein powder, and peanut butter to a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a bowl and top with mini chocolate chips, peanut butter, chia seeds and banana slices.
3. Enjoy!
Common Questions about Smoothie Bowl Toppings
There are endless possibilities when it comes to smoothie toppings. Some of our favorites include shredded coconut, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit.
Acai bowls are a type of smoothie bowl that is made with acai berries. Some of our favorite toppings for acai bowls include granola, coconut, fresh fruit, and nut butter.
Some healthy toppings for smoothie bowls include spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and matcha powder. Another great option is to use oats or granola for some extra fiber and nutrition.
Final Thoughts on Smoothie Bowl Toppings
Smoothie bowls are a delicious and healthy way to enjoy your favorite fruits and vegetables. They can be customized to fit any taste, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to toppings. We’ve shared some of our favorite recipes and tips for creating the perfect smoothie bowl, so be sure to give your favorite smoothie bowl recipe a try!
Happy Blending!
Amanda